Means for applying sealing means to containers



Nov. 26, 1935. c, H BR|NT0N Er AL 2,022,633

MEANS FOR APPLYING SEALING MEANS TO CONTAINERS Filedxug. 16, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 2 1 T5 5 A75 5 z l l l Il 1\l, n

(5 l /f 5 "L 4 4 3 29 37 l a y l m z2 /N VEN TORJ ATTORNEYJ` Nov. 26, 1935. c. H. BmN'roN Er AL 'MEANS FOR APPLYING SEALING MEANS TO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /N VENTO/es A TTU/@gva ya' Nov. `26, 1935. c. H. BRINTON Er AL MEANS FOR APPLYING SEALING MEANS T0 CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet v4 /NI/ENTORS ATTORNEYJ' Patented Nov. 26, 1935 MEANS Fon APPLYING SEALTNG To coNTAiN-Eas Christian H. Brinton, Chicago, Des Plaines, lll., assignors to imams and George Weiss. Standard Cap and Seal Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Virginia Application Aimar is, 1932, semi No. 629,062

(ci. 22a-so) 19 Claims..

The invention embraces the provision of av mechanism of this character in which a nonresilient bond is distorted at intervals for crimping the container closure adjacent to the distorted portions.

An object of the invention is the .provision of a mechanism of this character which `is adapted and readily adjustable for use in applying rings yto various types of containers.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved. andhreliable' means for manipulating ringsor other objects from a source of supply rwhereby the same are subsequently and automatically applied to containers. A still further object of the invention embraces a mechanism wherein a minimum of operating parts of rugged construction are utilized and wherein a single operation is required to eectively seal a container.

Further objects and advantages are within the :scope of the invention such as relate to the ar- Irangement ofthe elements of the structure, to-

various details of construction, economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will 5 be apparent from a consideration of the drawings; and related description of a form of the invention which may be preferred, in which: l

Figure 1 is a'sideelevational'view of a form of a mechanism for carrying out my invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing the adjustable container support of the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional detail view taken sub-4 stantially on a. line 3 3 of .Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view taken subl stantially on a line I l of Figure 1;

l Figure 5 is a lsectional detail view taken sub-l stantially on a line 5 5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional'detail view taken substantially on a line 6 6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing portions of the mechanism in effective position; Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail taken substantially on a line 8 8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional detail taken substantially on a line 9 9 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 9 showing portions of the mechanism in eiective'position;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view of a container sealed by the method and means of this invention;l v

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a modiy. fied form of the invention; l I

Figure 13 is `a sectional detail view taken su stantially on aline Il ll of Figure 12; t

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 thereof, in which a machine is shown as illustrating a practical emlli bodiment of tlie invention, the machine shown being capable of being removably supported to a relatively fixed object by means such as brackets I0 and Ilcar'ried by a housing I5 serving as a magazine or container for a plurality of sealing.

elements. Housing lli is preferably made of tu-t bular formation and of a diameter closely ap,. proximating the diameter of a metallic band or ring suitable ,fior use in sealing containers, such as the `mouths of milk bottles upon which a clol5 sure has been placed such closures being preferably of the skiried orhooded type. Positioned f adjacent one end of the magazine I5 and preferablyV carried thereby is a ring support I1 having bore I8 therein adapted to receive the mouth 30 of a container. A container 2l inthe form shown is provided with a closure 2|, and may be placed in eiective posit-loriy adjacent the ring support,l I1

by means of an adjustable and movable bracket or support 22 carried by a movable bar 24 slldably 35 positioned in guides I3 and i4 provided in the brackets Il) and lli Adjacent the extremity of bar 24 opposite the bracket 2,2 is pivotally secured as at 28 an operating lever 25. f

'rhefiever 2s is provided with biiur'cated yp0r- 40 tions forming actuating arms'. Toleach arm of lever 25 is pivptally connected, on diametrically opposite sides/'of the magazine i5, a bar or link 28, which links are also pivoted to a slidable collar 30. The collar Ill mounted to have slid- 45 able engagement on the outer wall of y magazine I5 isprovided with a plurality of setsl of ears or projections 32 between each set is journalled a roller 33. Fixedly secured to the magazine I5 adjacent theI bracket I0 is a second collar 3l 50 which also supports a plurality of ears or projections IB which `pivotally support a plurality of elongated cam members I1 having a seal distoring portion lvor jaw member "formed at their extremities which ,cooperate with openings 38 in 55 X trated this means the ring support or seal positioner I1. The rollers -33 cooperate with cam surfaces 40 provided on the cam members 31 for a purpose hereinafter more fully described. A substantially continuous spring ring 42 is positioned adjacent the extremities of cammembers 3 1 Vto resiliently hold the jaw members 38 outwardly with respect to the ririgsupport' I1; and also serve tourge-the cam surfaces of member 31 against the rollers 33 carried by. collar 30. To resiliently resist downward movement of collar 3 0 upon movement of bars 28 by lever 25, springs 44 have been provided between collar 35 and slidable collar 30.,

which springs 44 tend to normally return the l mechanism to inoperative position, and present sufficient resistance tol prevent the' movement of collar 30 until a container is in engagement with stop member 50.

Mounted interiorally of magazine I5 and substantially centrally thereof is a container posi-- tiener in the form of a tube or hollow element loosely connected or otherwise secured to a projection 46 in a cover element 41, the cover 41 being provided to enclose the open end 48 of magazine or seal container I5. The tube 45 is preferably screw threaded as at 49 .to receive a stop or positioner 50 having a screw threaded portion coacting with the threaded portion 49 of elementf`45. The stop or positioner 5 0 may be of a desirable configuration capable to firmly position'a closure on a container in order that a sealing ring Aor element may be correctly positioned with respect to the closure and container opening. The threaded portions of stop member or positioner 50 and the coacting screw threaded portion 49 of element 45 permits the adjustment of stop member 50 relative to the openings 39 in the ring positioner I1 which accommodates the seal distorting members 38. This adjustment serves for the purpose of properly sealing different sized containers or containers having different beads or enlarged mouth portions, as in the case of milk bottles. We have provided means for retaining such adjustment, in the form illusbeing a lock nut 4I. Slidably positioned on tube 45 is a weight member 52 contacting the interior of magazine I5 andj with `ing with a portion of which cooperates a lock member 53 permitting movement of weight member 52 in one direction and resisting movement thereof in another direction, thus positively holding the sealing means in a fixed predetermined position. 1

The weighted Imember 52 and its lock member 53 urge the sealing means contained within magazine I5 against stop members 43 which also serve as guiding elements for the seal distorting portion 38 of members 31 as hereinafter more fully described. The weighted memberl 52 and lock element 53 act as weight and gravity feeding means for the sealing elements, in the form shown of a ring like formation. The lock element 53 may preferably be of 4a `fiat metallic .washer54'having an opening 55 of a predetermined size adapted'to snugly engage the tube 45. f

Washer or lock member 54 carries a pin 56 suitably secured to one extremity, the pin contact- 'the weight member 52 and angularly displacing washer 54 with respect to the longitudinal axis of tube 45, this arrangement serving to aid in feeding the sealing means and at the same time provideA an automatic stop pre'- venting Vupward displacement of the sealing means when the lowermost ring is in engagement with the distorting portions 38 of members 31.

The loose connectionbetween element 45 and.A

cover element 41 permits the hollow element to be free to centrally adjust itself with respect to the walls of the stationary tube or magazine I5 and thus allow the weight member 52 and its cooperating automatic locking stop means 53 to slide freelywithin the walls of magazine I5 and prevent any binding action therebetween.

In order to fixediy secure cover 41 and to prevent the ingress of foreign matter or dirt to the magazine I5 we provide a U-shaped member 5I ivoted as at 59 to collar 35. The bight of the U-shaped member is provided with a thumb screw 52 which engages a recess of cover 41. It can be seen that manipulation of the thumb screw B2 will secure the cover 41 closing the open end of magazine I5. f

Adjacent the end of the magazine I5 closed by member 41 we provide slots 64 which aid materially in properly loading sealing means or rings within the magazine I5. By means of these 20 slots 64 the magazine can be loaded direct from a supply tube which is used for retaining the sealing bands during transportation.

The ring positioner I1 is provided with a plurality of openings 39 adapted to accommodate 25 the ring distorting portions 33 of the members 31. Each of'the members 31 is provided with grooves 58 adapted to be snugly engaged with the guides 43 of the ring positioner I1. These guides serve to properly direct the distorting portions 80' 38 of members 31 so that the conguration'of the ring or sealing means or its diameter will be materially reduced to engage the portion of the container and retain the closure to which the seal is applied in a fixed and proper relation 35 thus providing a highly eiiicient seal.

The ring positioner I1 is also provided with a plurality of recessed portions preferably located between the distorting portions 33 of members 31 the ring and regulating the size of the projections 60 serving to grip or engage a closure.

In order to prevent the ring distorting means from engaging the weight member 52 when the supply of sealing means is exhausted within the 45 magazine yI5 the ring positioner I1 is provided with a side vopening 61 for the purpose of permitting the operator to visually see if rings are within magazine I5 or if the weight member 52 is visible through said opening.

We have provided a structure capable of applying sealing rings or bands to containers of various sizes in which the bracket 22 is adjustable with respect to the bar 24 as particularly illustrated in Figure 2. Bracket 22 is connected 55 to the bar 24 by means of a plate 23, having an aperture or slot 21 of irregular contour therein, a pin 29 being provided in the bracket 22 cooperating with the slot 21. Thus we have provided a structure which may be adjusted vto seal milk bottles for example, of one-half pint, pint or quart sizes.

As illustrated in detail in Figure 8, the jaws 38 project inwardly with respect to the ring postioner I1 and are provided with a fiat top surface 51 and a groove 53, which groove contacts the lowermost ring in magazine I5 to contract the same about the closure and the bottle neck. It will also be noted that as the ring is contracted the next succeeding ring rests on the 10v upper fiat surface of the ring contracting element 38 to automatically retain the next succeeding rings in position while the lowermost ring is being operated upon. Thus as the jaws move inwardly the next ring remains in substantially 15 for the purpose of uniformly crimping 40' the same relative position until the paws are retracted, at which time the next succeeding ring is placed upon the guides 43 by the action oi.' weight 52.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the method of contracting the ring about a closure the same being of the skirted or hood type and it will be noted in this respect that four jaws have been provided though we contemplate the use of any other desirable number, which cooperate to form the ring with four projections 60 which number we have found very effective in producing a satisfactory and eillcient seal on the bottle mouth, serving to hold the closure in proper position. It will also be noted that the projections 60 clamp therebetween a portion of the closure as at 8| which prevents slippage of the ring on the closure, and provides a seal that in case the closure of` ring is tampered with will render the same ineffective for a subsequent use.

The members 31 are provided with cam surfaces 40 which are so arranged with respect to the ring distorting portions 38 that a slow or gradually increasing crimpingv force is applied to the sealing element, as the collar 30 is actuated,

' and members 3l are removably supported by collar 35 so that the same may be replaced with members having cam surfaces of various curvature or which may have distorting portions of different sizes which permit the use of this mechanism in sealing a large number of different containers.l

In the operation of this form of the invention the hooded caps or closures may be placed on the bottle mouths in any manner, as by hand or suitable mechanism. The bottles are then placed upon the support or bracket 22 and lever 25 moved downwardly through its full operating range. As the lever is moved to position A indicated in dotted lines, the bar 2l is moved upwardly and thus the bracket 22 is also moved toward the magazine, carrying the bottle upwardly so that the mouth portion thereof enters the bore i8 in the'ring supporty I1 and the bottle contacts with the adjustable s top or positioner to hold the hood in place on the bottle mouth and to position the bottle neck and the closure in proper relation to the distorting elements 38. Continued downward movement of the lever moves the slidable collar 30 downwardly by means of the bar 28 and causes rollers 33 to ride the cam surfaces on the elements 3l 4which pivots the jaws about their fulcrums, and contracts the ring carried in the grooved portions of the distorting elements-which action securely binds the ring element about the closure and the bottle neck to form a tight seal. Upward movement of lever releases the distorting elements and the next ring is placed in the grooves due to the action of vweight member 52 which continuously appliessuiilcient force to the uppermost ring` to cause downward movement thereof. Further upward movement of lever lowers the sealed bottle from the ring support. l

The modified arrangement shown. in Figures 12'and 13, is of the portable type particularly suitable for use in sealing containers which may be in cartons, boxes or the like and which mechanism is provided with operating handles 10, the arns l2 of which are secured to the projections 32 of collar 30 in a suitable manner. In ythis structure downward movement of the handles 10 actuates the collar 30 causingy rollers 33 to contact with cam surfaces 40 of members 31 to distort the sealing element or ring in a manner spect to said receiving means; a plurality/' of in- 50 movable collar surrounding said magazine, said w f collar having antifriction means adapted for comeans to actuate said collar for causing said similar to that previously described. Upward movement of handles 10 immediately releases the distorting portions 38 of members 3l from the distorted ring and the next succeeding ring is placed in a position to be operated upon. Due to 5 the fact that four jaws or distorting elements 38 have been found effective to seal containers, the mechanism herein illustrated may be operated in a small space, for example, milk bottles may be placed in suitable crates and the clo- 10 sures sealed thereon without removal from such crates.

What we claim is:

1. In a bottle sealing mechanism, the combination of a magazine for receiving and support- 15 ing a plurality of seals; a collar; a bottle support; means for moving such support toward said magazine, said means cooperating with said collar to move the same with respect to said magazine upon continued operation of said 2O means; and a plurality of deforming members lactuated by said collar and engageable with a seal to contract said seal about a bottle.

2. In a bottle sealing mechanism, the combination of means for receiving a plurality of seal- 25 ing elements; a member surrounding and movable longitudinally of said receiving means; a plurality of sealing element deforming members cooperating with said movable member to successively engage and deform said sealing ele- 30 ments; and means between said receiving means and said movable member to resist movement of said deforming members.

3. In a mechanism the combination of a magazine for supporting a plurality of sealing means; 35 a removable cover for said magazine; a seal positioner associated with said magazine; a plurality of members cooperating with said seal positioner, said members having a cam surface;

a movable collar carried by said magazine and 40 having means engaging the cam surface of said members; means to move said collar whereby said members engage a seal in said seal positionei' and apply the same to a container.

4. Mechanism for sealing containers; means 45 including an elongated tubular magazine having a removable cover at its upper end for receiving a plurality of sealing elements; a member supported by and relatively movable with restrumentalities coacting with said member for applying and distorting sealing elements to containers; said instrumentalities having cooperatv ing means for preventing escapement of sealing elements when one element is distorted. 55 5. In combination, a magazine for supporting sealing means; a removable cover for said magazine; a plurality of sealing means contracting members, said members having cam surfaces; a

operative" engagement with said cam surfaces;

antifriction means to engage the cam surfaces of said members to engage and contract the sealing means; said members preventing escapement of uncontracted sealing means. I

6, A mechanism for applying sealing means to containers in combination, a magazine for're- 70 ceiving a plurality of sealing elements; locking means within said magazine to position said sealing elements; a member supported by and relal itvely movable with respect to said magazine; a plurality of instrumentalities coacting with 75 said member for applying and. deforming said sealing means upon a container upon movement of said member, and container positioning means sealing element distorting members having a` sur.

face coacting with said movable element for changing the configuration of a sealing element upon movement of said collar, and adjustable means adjacentsaid receiving means to position a container with respect to said sealing element.

8. In a mechanism the combination of a magzine for supporting a plurality of sealing means; a seal positioner associated with said magazine; a plurality of members cooperating with said seal positioner, said members having a cam surface; a movable collar carried by said magazine and having means engaging the-cam surface of said members; means to move said collar whereby said members engage a seal in said seal positioner and apply the same to a container, and an automatically adjustable member to position said sealingmeans with respect to said seal positioner.

9. In a mechanism the combination of a magazine for supporting a plurality ofsealing means; a seal positioner associated with said magazine; releasable means to hold said sealing means in engagement with said sealpositioner; a plurality of members cooperating with said seal positioner,

said members having a. cam surface; a movable p collar slidably supported on said magazine and having antifriction means engaging the cam surface of said members; means to move said collar whereby said members apply a seal to a container and change the configuration of said seal, resilient means to retard movement of said collar and a member to position a container with respect to said seal positioner.

10. In a mechanism the combination of a magazine for a plurality of sealing means; a seal positioner; a plurality of members cooperating with said seal positioner, said members having cam surfaces associated therewith; a collar carried by said magazine and having engagement with said cam surfaces; means to actuate said collar to cause said members to engage a seal in said seal positioner; means to resist movement of said collar actuating means; and an adjustable stop within said magazine to position a container to be sealed relative to said seal positioner;.

11. In a mechanism for applying sealing elements to containers the combination of a magazine for supporting a plurality of sealing elements; a cover for said magazine; an adjustable support for a container having a closure thereon; a container positioner carried by said cover; means to cause relative movement between said support and said magazine; means todistort a sealing element adjacent said closure including a plurality of pivoted members and antifriction means surrounding said members. A

12. In a mechanism for applying sealing elements to containers the combination of a magazine for supporting a plurality of sealing elements; a support for a container having a closure thereon; means to cause relative movement.

betweensaid support and said magazine; means including a collar engaging and movable longitudinally of said magazine to distort a sealing element adjacent said closure, said means including four distorting members.

13. In a mechanism for applying sealing elements to containers thecombination o! a magazine for supporting a. plurality of sealing elements;y means to automatically stop upward movement of said elements; a support for a container having a closure thereon; means to cause relative movement between said support and said magazine; means to deform a sealing element adjacent said closure, said means including four deforming members and means to actuatesaid deforming members. 1 1

14. Ina mechanismor' applying sealing elements to containers the combination of a magazine for supporting a plurality of sealing elements; releasable means for positioning sealing yelements within said magazine; a support for a container having a. closure thereon; means to cause relative movement between said support and said magazine; means to distort a sealing element adjacent said closure.' said means including four distorting members, a `collar having portions cooperating with said members and manually operated means to actuate said members.

`15. In a. bottle sealing mechanism, the combination of a magazine for supporting a plurality of seals; adjustable means within said magazine for positioning a container having ahooded ciosure thereon adjacent said magazine; means for distorting a seal whereby the distorted portions grip portions of said closure, said means including a plurality of elongated cam members having receiving end of said magazine; means within said magazine for positioning a container having a hooded closure thereon adjacent said magazine; means for distorting a sealing element whereby the distorted portions grip portions of said closure, said means including a plurality of sealing element distorting members having cam surfaces thereon and being pivoted to the upper proportion of said magazine. i

17. In a mechanism for applying sealing elements to containers the combination of a magazine for supporting a plurality of sealing elements; means within said magazine for positioning a container having a. hooded closure thereon adjacent to said sealing elements; means for deforming a sealing element whereby the deformed portions grip portions of said closure, Vsaid means including a plurality of members having cam surfaces thereon and manually operated means including a collar supporting a plurality of rollers engageable with said cam jsurfaces for moving said members toward said container; and means between said magazine and collar for resisting the movement of said manually operatedv means.

18. In a mechanism for applying sealing elements to containers the combination of a 4magazine for supporting a plurality oi' sealing elements; a support for a container having .a closure thereon; means to cause relative movement between said support and said magazine; means to deform a sealing element adjacent said clocally stop upward movement of said sealing ele-l ments.

19. In a mechanism the combination of a magazine for a, plurality of sealing means; a seal positioner; a plurality of members cooperatingwith said seal positioner; said members having cam surfaces associated therewith; a collar carried by said magazine and having engagement with said cam surfaces; means to actuate said position a container to be sealed relative to said 5 seal positioner.

CHRISTIAN H. BRINTON. GEORGE WEISS. 

